The purpose of this blog is to gather data from a variety of musicians, and examine the common threads and differences in their personal musical identities. I feel that regardless of background, education, genre or personal preference, there are factors in all musics that are universally attractive to people, and I plan on using theory and analysis to prove this point. I’ll also be including my own diverse musical tastes and opinions in addition to the data I collect from others.

Is Russ Rankin an “analytical theory based” musician, or more of an “I play what
sounds good/self-taught” musician?

"I would put myself mostly in the 2nd category you listed
although I have recently begun to study music theory a bit more, mostly
inspired by my introduction to jazz."

Here's a link to Good Riddance's "Salt" You won't find much jazz in this selection, but the chord progression and vocal melodies and harmonies suggest that when Russ plays "what sounds good" it comes out enjoyable, provided you like hardcore/punk music.

When did you first
realize you wanted to pursue music?

"I thought about trying to sing punk rock when I first bought
and listened to Bad Religion’s “Back To The Known” ep. I thought it was amazing
the way they used vocal melodies to deliver a potent message."

Bad Religion is pretty influential. Devin Peralta of Cobra Skulls also sited them as an early inspiration.

What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of
your musical persona?

"The obvious advantage has been the modest platform it’s
given me to speak on issues important to me (animal rights, politics etc). The
disadvantage would have to be the inability to hide and be anonymous in the
music scene. Having to be extra conscious of everything I did or said, who I
hung out with. It comes with the territory and I have learned to deal with it.
It isn't nearly so extreme lately as my band(s) aren't really hugely popular but
it’s still a thing."

What is Russ Rankin most proud of?

"I would suppose it would be when Fat Wreck Chords agreed to
release our music because it turned us almost overnight from a struggling local
band into an international act. The most humbling thing has been the thousands
of people who have been inspired by our music to make positive changes in their
lives."

What is your typical process when writing a song?

"I usually just play around with riffs on my guitar and when
I find something that catches my ear I decide whether it will be a better verse
or chorus and then I go about trying to fit a good vocal melody over it. Other
times, a vocal melody just appears in my head (this happens a lot while I’m out
in the water) and then I have to try to remember it until I can get home, grab
my guitar and put a chord structure underneath it."

I love hearing about musical "Ah-ha!" moments. Guess who is responsible for Russ Rankin's?

"My Ah-ha moment was listening to Bad Religion’s “Suffer” album. I was blown
away. I thought it was a tremendously thought-provoking and powerful experience
and it opened my eyes to the possibilities of punk rock music as a mechanism to
inspire conscious thought behind a wall of ear-pleasing melodic information."

If you could get everyone you care about to listen to one
song,what would it be and why should everyone you
know check this out?

“Love and Ire Song” by Frank Turner is pretty powerful. It’s
about hope, disillusionment and growing older. It gives me chills. It inspires
me and at the same time it makes me want to quit writing music because I know
nothing I write will ever be that profound."

My 2 cents, I can't help it...

After viewing and listening to Russ's big moment, I can't help but point out the musical simplicity of the song. Frank Turner is strumming the ever popular I-IV-V chord progression. (V7 if you're knit picky)

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I-IV-V is so commonly used because it simply sounds good. We identify with these chord changes, and when pointed lyrics are passionate delivery are layered above.....Well, "Ah-ha!"

Ixnay on the "ub-step day"We've seen what inspires Russ, but what is he NOT a fan of?

"I don’t care much for dub step, and I have never been a fan of the punk/ska fusion. I loved
Operation Ivy but at the same time I think we have to blame them for all the
bands that came after."

Thank you for taking the time to share your musical story.
Anything else you’d like to add?

"Thanks to anyone who’s ever supported me or any of the bands I've been involved in."

About Me

I've played guitar and sang in punk bands over the last decade, did a lot of touring and recording, and continue to perform though I now spend the majority of my time in the classroom. I am currently teaching guitar and choir at Gordon Tech College Prep High School in Chicago.
After completing my teaching certification in 2011, I directed 3 choirs and taught Middle School and Elementary music in Zion before joining GT.
I've sung with various choirs in high school and college and have always loved choral music. I also love to compose for the guitar and the piano, and hope to delve into writing a choral piece or even a musical someday.
I have always been fascinated by music theory and chord progressions, and I spend a lot of my time trying to find the merit in all kinds of music. I think there is a lot to learn from every genre and every style, even if we learn what we don't enjoy, or how we should NOT play.To me, everything is worthwhile in music, even if it's not your "cup of tea." Every aspect of music can be a platform for educating yourself.
My two passions are music education and performance, and I particularly love to share both studies with my students.